Veronica plant named ‘Spike’

ABSTRACT

A new, distinct  Veronica  plant as described and illustrated, characterized by the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage compared to the seed parent.

Latin name: Veronica hybrid.

Cultivar name: ‘Spike’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid of Veronica plant named ‘Spike’ characterized by the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage compared to the seed parent. The new Veronica was raised as a seedling from open pollinated seed sown from the seed parent Veronica spicara nana, not patented, in Hebron, Ill. in 2009. The male, pollen parent is unknown and was selected as a chance seedling. The selection of the new plant was due to the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage compared to the seed parent. Initial asexual reproduction has taken place at a nursery in Hebron, Ill. since 2010 by means of division, and vegetative stem cuttings. Continued asexual propagation by division and vegetative stem cuttings since that time has shown that the unique features of the new Veronica plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Veronica plant named ‘Spike’ characterized by combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage compared to the seed parent have been observed to be unique and stable. For purpose of comparison the new plant will be referred to as ‘Spike’.

Plants of ‘Spike’ can be compared to the seed parent plant of Veronica spicata nana, not patented. 1. The ‘Spike’ plant is taller growing to 40 cm while Veronica spicata nana grows to 20 cm. 2. The ‘Spike’ plant has longer inflorescence growing to 23 cm in length while Veronica spicata nana inflorescence grow to 10 cm in length.

Plants of ‘Spike’ can also be compared to another Veronica spicata ‘Glory’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,932, patented. 1. The ‘Spike’ plant has longer inflorescence growing to 23 cm in length, while Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ inflorescence grow to 2-15 cm in length. 2. The ‘Spike’ plant has a flower color of RHS 99 B while Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ has a flower color of N 88 A to N 89 A.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Plants pictured in the drawing were grown for two years.

FIG. 1. Close up of the flower spike.

FIG. 2. A group of plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001). Plants used for the description were grown for two years at a nursery in Hebron, Ill. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.

-   Plant:     -   -   Botanical classification.—Veronica hybrid.         -   Parentage.—Female (seed parent) Veronica spicata nana, Male             parent, unknown.         -   Form.—Upright.         -   Plant height.—40 cm from soil to top of flowers; width: 70             cm wide.         -   Growth.—Herbaceous perennial, broad upright, moderate vigor.         -   Roots.—Fibrous. -   Stem:     -   -   Form.—Cylindrical, branching from the base, no pinching             required.         -   Color.—144 A at the base, 144 D at the top half.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.         -   Length.—40 cm.         -   Diameter.—4 mm wide.         -   Flower stem internode length.—2.5 cm.         -   Internode quantity.—Up to 6 flowering lateral branches. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Number of leaves per basal stem.—16, 8 pairs.         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 6 cm on average, decreasing in both             length and width distally. Width: 2.5 cm.         -   Shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.         -   Shape of tip.—Acute.         -   Shape of base.—Rounded to slightly attenuate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Margin type.—Serrate.         -   Color.—Young and Mature leaves: Upper surface: 139 A. Lower             surface: close to 137 C.         -   Petioles.—Glabrous. Length: 2 cm on average for lower             leaves; 1 cm or less on average for other leaves. Diameter:             2 mm. Color: Adaxial 144 A, Abaxial 144 D. -   Surface: Adaxial glabrous, Abaxial glabrous.     -   -   Veins.—Pattern: Pinnate with a pronounced mid-vein on the             lower surface and depressed on the upper leaf surface.             Color: Upper surface: 139 A. Lower surface: 137 C. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Continuous from mid to late June             into July. Inflorescence type and habit: branched, terminal             spike, no fragrance, flowers last about 5 days on plant.         -   Rate of flower opening.—About 25% of flowers open at once,             all flowers open in about 4 weeks. -   Type of flower: Tubular with four petal lobes. -   Number of flowers: About 300 per spike; about 150 per lateral     branch. -   Inflorescence size:     -   -   Diameter of a branched inflorescence.—5 cm.         -   Height.—23 cm.         -   Length of terminal spike.—23 cm.         -   Individual flower size.—4 mm long, 2 mm wide. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—20 cm with secondary peduncles 3 cm long.         -   Diameter.—2 mm.         -   Color.—144 B with some aging to N 79 A.         -   Orientation.—Upright with 4-5 secondary peduncles at 30-45°.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Surface.—Glabrous. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—1-2 mm long, less than 1 mm wide, close to 0.5 mm.         -   Color.—146 D. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal arrangement.—One larger above three slightly smaller.         -   Large petal size.—4 mm long; 2 mm wide.         -   Small petal size.—2 mm long; 1 mm wide.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Tip shape.—Emarginate upper lip; rounded lower lip.         -   Length.—Average upper lip: 4 mm; average lower lip: 2 mm.         -   Width.—Average upper lip: 2 mm; average lower lip: 1 mm.         -   Petal quantity.—4.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Corolla.—Length: 3 mm long, width: 2 mm wide, Color: 99 B.         -   Petals.—When opening: Upper surface: 99 13. Lower surface:             99 C. Fully opened: 99 B. Lower surface: 99 C. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Convolute, narrowly oblong, obtuse apex.         -   Length.—6 mm. and.         -   Diameter.—2 mm.         -   Color.—141 B and C. -   Calyx:     -   -   Arrangement.—4 sepals fused into a tube at 70% of the             length; 2 upper sepals fused nearly at the tips; 2 lower             sepals fused nearly at the tips.         -   Height.—5 mm.         -   Diameter.—2 mm.         -   Shape.—Tubular.         -   Sepals.—Shape: ovate, acute apex, base fused forming             corolla. Size: Average 4 mm long; 1 mm wide. Margin: Entire.             Texture: glabrous. Color: Outer surface: 137 C at the top             half and green 139 C at the base. Inner surface: from the             tips down 137 D to 139 D at the base.         -   Bracts.—None observed. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number. — 2. Filament length. — 4 mm. Anthers. —             Shape: Basifixed, elliptic. Length: 2 mm. Width 1 mm. Color:             N 87 A. Pollen. — Color: white 155 C Amount: low.         -   Pistil.—Number. — One. Length. — 9 mm, less than 1 mm wide.             Style. — Length: 12 mm. Color: 77 A at the top half fading             to white at the base. Stigma — Shape: cylindrical. Color             77 A. Ovary color: initially green close to 139 D. -   Seeds: Yes brown and round 2 mm long and 2 mm wide, color 144 B with     parts N 79 B in color. -   Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases or     pests has been noted to date. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerate to heat at least up to 30° C. and     cool at least down to USDA Zone 4-8. 

I claim:
 1. A new, distinct Veronica plant as described and illustrated, characterized by the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage compared to the seed parent. 